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If you have a craving for pancakes or a steak in the early hours of the morning, it can be difficult finding a restaurant open late. But if you live in the Queens borough, you're guaranteed hot meals all hours of the day in small, cozy diners. Whether you're working late, coming home after a night out in Manhattan or just feel like an ice cream sundae at 3 a.m., a Queens diner is the place to go for 'round-the-clock service.

Astoria

The Bel Aire Diner & Restaurant (belairediner.net) has been operating since 1965 and features a retro '70s look. Dine here any hour of the day to feast on fresh fish, pasta specials, charbroiled burgers and Greek specialties. If you're after breakfast, this place serves everything from cereal and eggs, to pancakes and full Irish breakfasts. The diner is on the corner of 21st Street and Broadway. You'll feel like you're dining in an elegant eatery at Sanfords Restaurant (sanfordsnyc.com) on Broadway. This contemporary diner has the look of an upscale restaurant, but serves all the diner favorites with a twist. Burgers, pasta, hearty salads and sandwiches are on the dinner menu, with a handful of decadent pies for dessert. This place is also fully licensed, serving dessert wines and beers.

Jackson Heights

Cositas Ricas (cositasricas.com) serves up authentic Latin fare along Roosevelt Avenue. Choose from steak, scrambles and sandwiches for breakfast. During the later hours, go with one of the many seafood entrees or a chicken dish. Sides include beans, rice, plantains and fried cassava. This diner is just two blocks from the 82nd Street subway station. The Kabab King Diner (kababking.com) is along 37th Road and offers a huge selection of Mediterranean meals and Indian dishes. Goat, chicken and vegetable curries are on the menu, as well as charcoal-grilled meats, tandoori specialties and rice dishes. The restaurant also provides a Ramadan menu. Stay for dessert and try one of the exotic treats.

Elmhurst

Pop Diner (popdiner.com) is a 50s-era establishment along Queens Boulevard. While the diner isn't always open around-the-clock, it operates until late throughout the week and 24-hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Grab a booth and take advantage of the private jukeboxes for entertainment. The menu is eclectic, showcasing dishes from Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America. Burgers, seafood, paella, pasta and steaks are just some of the offerings here. A children's menu is also available for kids 12 and under. Jumbo ice cream sodas and egg creams are on the dessert list. Diners are welcome to use the free Wi-Fi service.

Forest Hills

In business since 1934, the menu at the T Bone Diner (tbonediner.com) is enormous, with a huge breakfast menu and burger list. Italian and Greek specialties are available, as well as roasts, pastas and more than 25 seafood combinations. Diet-conscious diners can request a meal from the Diet Delights menu. The T Bone Diner is just steps from the 71st Avenue subway train station. The Tower Diner (towerdiner.com) is a family-owned eatery, housed in an old bank building along Queens Boulevard. The menu here is also extravagant, with half-pound burgers, triple-decker sandwiches and personal pizzas up for grabs. Greek and Italian specialties are also available, as well as a variety of daily specials that include homemade moussaka and meatloaf.

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About the Author

Rachel Oakley has written professionally since 2003. She has worked as an editorial intern at "The Onion" newspaper and freelanced for the educational website Gigglepotz. She also worked as an editorial assistant in Australia, while completing college. Oakley holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and philosophy from the University of Adelaide, Australia.